Maritime union RMT has welcomed what it described as an overwhelming vote for strike action by Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers, warning that management could not demonstrate it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
In a statement issued on 17 February, the union said its members employed by the RFA had rejected the latest pay offer by a margin of nine to one. RMT claimed that seafarers can routinely work up to 12 hours a day, but that there remains no clear or transparent formula explaining how pay is calculated against those working hours.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the situation had become unacceptable, arguing that management could not even properly determine its own pay rates.
“Years of real terms falling behind in pay have left RFA seafarers worse off, and management still cannot show if all of our members are even being paid at least the minimum wage for the hours they are required to work,” he said.
Dempsey added: “The absence of a transparent system for calculating pay, combined with excessive working hours, has created an unsustainable situation.”
He said the dispute was contributing to what he described as a “deepening crisis” in the organisation, adding: “RFA members are proud seafarers and this latest slap in the face will only add to a deepening crisis, it is time for the RFA and the Ministry of Defence to get around the table with this union.”
Can’t say I blame them. The whole issue, for such a small number of people who potentuially put their lives on the line, is ridiculous. If they were train drivers they would be on £60/70,000 a year.
OK, I can’t believe there Is no way of showing how the pay Is calculated against the hours worked.
WTF are they using a bloody ABACUS ?
OK, everybody out.
I don’t think an hourly rate is a fair indicator here. We worked out in the Forces that we worked for a below minimum wage hourly rate when you consider that we could basically be called on to work at any time of the day or night especially ops/exercise etc.
I would be looking at their rate averaged across the year to include both shipboard time and time spent on their apparently generous leave periods as indicated on the RFA website.
They all have globally recognised qualifications in an industry experiencing an acute skilled labour shortage.
They can walk out the door into any company across the planet on much better wages and conditions.
They joined the RFA because they wanted to join the RFA and serve alongside the RN – MoD needs to recognise that.
Compare and contrast the derisory RFA payscales with their US MSC equivalents.
I really sympathize with the men and women of the RFA but they should not be allowed to strike
What a ridiculous comment.
Isn’t this one of the main reasons why the RFA struggles to crew ships? It’s not an ordinary job, where hourly rates can be calculated fairly however, it would not take much to determine an annual/monthly salary, which is fair and reasonable.
Typical politicians or civil service gits, determining rates of pay, for a job they know nothing about, or would want to do themselves.